IDNO

N.19084.ROS

Description

The King of Bunyoro (Mukama) and three milk-maids (wives of the king - with arms and faces smeared with white clay), in ceremonial dress positioned in front of a white screen with ceremonial objects. The king seated on a chair, wears a white tunic (covered by a dark robe), a necklace, a bracelet and a ring. Between him and the milk maids is the royal milk pot, named Kikajo; "a beautifully-made vessel set in a shallow stand, round the edge of which was arranged a white fibre made from the fronds and the pith of the leaves of the palm tree, which stood up in a thick bushy circle around the pot. On the side of this stand was a holder into which fitted a wooden handle holding a sponge...” (Roscoe, 1922, p. 147). To the right, three milk maids wear dark-coloured bark cloth wrapped around their bodies. Two of the milk maids are standing; one holds a horn of water? while the third milk-maid kneels before the King and is handing him the milk pot.

Physical Condition: Film is a slightly yellow colour.

Place

E Africa; Uganda; Bunyoro

Cultural Affliation

Banyoro (Bakitara)

Named Person

Andereya Bisereko Duhaga II (b. 1882 - d. 1924)

Photographer

?Roscoe, John R.

Collector / Expedition

Roscoe, John R. [Mackie Ethnological Expedition, Uganda, 1919 - 1920]

Date

1919 - 1920

Collection Name

Roscoe Collection

Source

Format

Film Negative Black & White

Primary Documentation

Other Information

This negative was kept in an envelope marked C30/33/ by the cataloguer. The envelope was kept in box marked C30/ by the cataloguer.
Previously stored on Shelf 4, in group of 4 wooden boxes numbered 180.

Exhibition: Image reproduced and used in a permanent display in the Lower Gallery of the main Pitt Rivers Museum, University of Oxford. The display is titled ‘Rank and Status in the kingdom of Bunyoro-Kitara’ and comprises of material from the PRM Roscoe Collection of artifacts relating to the King of Bunyoro and his court. It was curated by Jeremy Coote. The photograph will be on display from January 2000. H.Cornwall-Jones, 09/1999.

Exhibition: A reproduction of this image was exhibited in Collected Sights in the section Africa with the descriptive label:
"The Bunyoro king with milkmaids during the milking ceremonies, one holding the royal milk pot. The men and the maids had to be ceremonially clean for two days before they carried out their official duties and their faces, arms and chests were whitened with clay. Roscoe mentioned that when the king retired to drink the sacred milk ‘should any sound be heard, especially that of clearing the throat, the culprit was put to death’.” [Sudeshna Guha 26/11/02]

This catalogue record was updated with the support of the Getty Grant Program One. [Mark Elliott 8/7/2004]

Publication: Image published in Roscoe, J., 1922. The Soul of Central Africa: An Account of the Mackie Ethnological Expedition. (London: Cassell and Co.), p. 146, with the caption: "Bunyoro: The King and Milkmaids ready for milking ceremonies. Showing Royal milk pot on stand.” [ED 2/10/2007]

Context: "When the milk had been carried into the dairy, the dairymaid set it ready for use and prepared the stool on which the King sat. She also was purified and had her hands, face, and chest covered with white clay. After preparing all things for the meal, she entered the throne room by a side door, knelt by the throne and said, "The milk has come sire,” and retired to wait the coming of the King. When he rose from the throne, the guard called in a loud voice, "The King has gone to drink milk,” whereupon all the people within the Royal enclosure knelt down, covered their faces, and kept silence. No one might make the slightest sound, for a cough or even a clearing of the throat would bring down the royal wrath upon him, and in all probability the offender would promptly be put to death for thus endangering the royal life.”
In the dairy no one but the dairymaid was allowed to be present during the meal. She carried the royal milk pot, a beautifully-made vessel set in a shallow stand, round the edge of which was arranged a white fibre made from the fronds and the pith of the leaves of the palm tree, which stood up in a thick bushy circle around the pot. On the side of this stand was a holder into which fitted a wooden handle holding a sponge; this the milkmaid handed to the king, who wiped his lips with the sponge and returned it to her. She next handed to him a pot of milk, taking off as she did so a lid of fine wicker work which she held as a screen before her eyes, that she might not commit the sacrilege of beholding the king drink. Then from the floor where she knelt she took a fly whisk, which she waved gently to keep any flies and insects from settling upon him. When the King had finished his meal he tapped the pot to attract the milkmaid’s attention, handed it her, rose without a word, and returned to the throne room. The guard announced his return to the kneeling people, who might then rise and come to address to him their petitions or greetings. The other cows were then milked, and the milk was carried to the dairy. It was this point during the evening milking that princesses were wont to pay their visits to the king. They sat near the throne, and the king might, if he so desired, present to them for their refreshment some of the milk from the royal herd. Towards sunset the king walked out in his enclosure and visited some of his wives, or perhaps some of his cowmen came to give accounts over the herds of which they had charge” (Roscoe, J., 1922. The Soul of Central Africa: An Account of the Mackie Ethnological Expedition. (London: Cassell and Co.), pp. 147 - 148.)) [ED 2/10/2007]

This catalogue record has been updated with the support of the Getty Grant Program Two. [Elisabeth Deane 8/1/2008]